216 Tasting Notes

60

I don’t normally enjoy breakfast teas as they are usually too brisk for my liking. This one, however, has a nice mellow flavor that I have found I enjoy.

I can easily see this becoming a staple, especially since Market Spice is local and a few local tea shops also carry it. Its not my beloved Golden Snail, but its a lot easier to get. :)

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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65
drank Market Spice Tea by Market Spice
216 tasting notes

I finally got my hands on some more. And yes, the stuff I had before was rancid. This smells of oranges and cinnamon as you would expect. In fact, the entire office now smells of cinnamon and orange.

I’m much happier with this. I can’t say for sure if this will exactly be a staple, but I can easily see me drinking this when I’m in the mood. I bet by fall I will be buying it in quantity as my mood will fit the flavor profile better.

Oh, I should note, I have no clue what the base is. In fact the flavoring totally over power whatever the base might be.

Flavors: Cinnamon, Orange, Orange Zest

Preparation
Boiling 2 min, 30 sec 1 tsp 10 OZ / 295 ML

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60

Not a flavor I’m wild for. Almost anise like, but mild

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80

On my first try, I did not like this. It was toasty, the flavor seemed strong, and I wasn’t a fan. Disheartening as it would have been my second oolong to try, neither of which I liked.

And then, about a week later I tried it again. And all of a sudden I really liked it. It still has a toasty flavor. All I can think is that I was not in the mood for it on the first attempt. (I am extremely mood driven when it comes to flavor.)

I have since been trying to ration myself, draw out that single ounce as long as possible as the price makes me feel a bit guilty. not too much however. My husband had an addiction to hard drives (very very long story) and so far my tea doesn’t even approach his cost. :)

Anyway definitely staple quality. And the first non black to be labeled so. :)

It seems the rating system won’t allow me to use fractions or decimals. I actually use about 1/2 teaspoon to around 8oz of water. Those leaves are rolled up really tight and expand hugely while steeping.

Flavors: Toasty

Preparation
190 °F / 87 °C 2 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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80
drank Coconut Chai by Zhena's Gypsy Tea
216 tasting notes

I just realized I have not yet reviewed this tea as loose leaf. Yes, I went out of my way to order the loose leaf version and I totally and utterly regret every penny I spent.

This isn’t the first time this has happened to me, that I have purchased a loose leaf version of a bagged tea I love and find it is utterly undrinkable. Its bitter, astringent, no coconut flavor to be found, no creaminess, no spiciness, and totally and utterly dominated by CLOVE!!!! I tried different steep times, different temperatures. Utterly undrinkable.

Well at least its easy to find the bags.

Not changing my rating as I find the bags really are quite good.

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90

I’m upping my rating. The last time I had this tea, I was back in the midwest for 2 weeks in horribly hot weather in September, with amazing stress levels through the roof. As I had only received a sampler and was constantly interrupted trying to have a morning cup, I didn’t have a decent chance to really think about it, I was just trying to gulp down as much caffeine as I could get.

I like this one. I really like this one. If I could realistically afford it, this would be the one I drank most of the time. No bitterness, no astringency. A nice mouth feel, almost creamy or buttery like. A flavor element that makes me think of freshly baked whole wheat bread.

Added note – there is a small amount of astringency present once it goes cold. I wonder why that happens as this isn’t the first time I’ve noticed that with a tea.

Flavors: Bread, Butter, Creamy

Preparation
Boiling 2 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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40

I am not fond of this one. I can’t identify the flavor aspect I don’t like (missing vocabulary again I suspect) but I’m not found of it.

Its not bitter, doesn’t appear to be heavy on tanins, just not my cup of tea. I’ll finish the order, but won’t buy this one again.

Preparation
Boiling 2 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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70

I’ve decided to up my rating on this tea. I’ve been drinking it a lot recently (cold weather always makes me want tea) and I haven’t really been noticing that odd taste when it cools down like I did before. Not sure what happened there.

There are others from Whispering Pines I prefer more (Golden Snail or North Winds), but this is enjoyable in its own right.

Preparation
Boiling 2 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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75

I’m upping my rating on this one. I’ve been happily drinking it all day so far and it just hits the spot for this cold wet day.

(Its 20 degrees warmer today than it was all weekend or last week, but the rain just makes it seem colder.)

I don’t think I’ve hit the astringency this time around. Maybe I’ve been drinking fast enough that it hasn’t had time to get cold. Busy day and I haven’t had much time to contemplate the subject.

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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70

I enjoy the tatse fo this when it is hot. No real astringency, seesm smooth, etc.

However, when it cools down, and my tea always ends up going cold before I finish it, it has an odd sort of taste. Kind of like that instant iced tea mix that was popular when I was a kid (can’t remember the name). And that brings up negative associations.

The wet leaf is quite attractive. Kind of reminds me of shredded cedar chips that are wet from the rain. Looks very pretty.

Preparation
Boiling 2 min, 30 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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Profile

Bio

Due to Steepster instability, I have moved to my own system for logging/rating/tracking and I have chosen to move to a 10pt rating system. (As of 7/2023)

All new teas will be rated using this new system. Existing teas will not be modified unless I try them again.

Rating Details:
100 – Amazing
90 – Excellent
80 – Enjoyable
70 – If I’m in the right mood
60 – Nothing Special
50 – Interesting elements, but doesn’t work as a whole
40 – Disappointing
30 – Not for me
20 – Harsh/Bad
10 – Absolutely horrible

All reviews are purely subjective based upon my personal preferences alone.

Location

Seattle Area

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